Canada places 2nd in their pool and will face Phoenix Storm in first game of playoffs on friday

Team Canada placed 2nd in its pool tonight after losing to Team Japan by a score of 4-1 at the Canada Cup in Surrey, B.C. and taking their first lost of the tournament.

Japan scored their first run in the top of the first inning on 3 hits and no Team Canada errors. Japan's first two batters made it to base on carbon copy single hits to leftfield. Japan's 3rd batter stepped up to the plate and hit a single but was then tagged out at first when she attempted to steal to 2nd. Great defense by Boucherville, Quebec's Nathalie Fradette who tagged the runner stealing 3rd, then threw to 1st base to get the 2nd out. The fourth batter had a ground out to Sommer West at first base.

A homerun by Japan in the top of the 2nd inning gave another run for Japan bringing the score to 2-0 over Canada.

Japan's last two runs came in the top of the 4th inning when Japan's third batter hit a 2 run homerun putting Japan into the lead and making the score 4-0.

Canada's first run came in the 5th inning. Calgary's Hayley Wickenheiser started the inning off giving Canada its first hit of the game when she hit a hard single to centrefield. Bowmanville's Sommer West had a walk and Newmarket's Cherene Hiesl-Boyer made it to base on a fielder's choice. Sommer West was driven home giving Canada its only run of the game when Bleinheim's Meaggan Wilton popped it over the 3rd base and took the RBI single scoring West.

Canada made a pitching change in the top of the 6th inning taking out Winnipeg's Heather Newsham and bringing in Canada's reserve pitcher Kelly Zeilstra who allowed 0 runs on 0 hits, 1 Team Canada error and leaving 2 on base in the top of the 6th. Canada's other hits came in the bottom of the 7th when Wickenheiser and West both hit singles to leftfield and Hiesl-Boyer, who made it to base on a fielder's choice. Canada was unable to score anymore runs.

The losing pitcher for Canada was White Rock's Kelly Zeilstra. Canada had 1 run on 4 hits and 1 error.

When asked how she feels about playing the Phoenix Storms (who defeated Australia today by a score of 1-0) in the first game of the playoffs, Richmond, B.C.'s Jackie Lance said: "We are looking forward to another game and we will continue to focus on our hitting".

Canada will now play Phoenix Storm, 3rd place in the white pool on Friday July 7th at 8:00pm pt. Other playoff games on Friday include: Australia, (1st white pool) vs Team Texas (4th red pool) at 12noon pt; China (2nd white pool) will play New Zealand (3rd red pool) at 2:30pm pt. and Japan (1st red pool) vs California 'A's (4th white pool) at 5:00pm pt and

The Canada Cup is taking place from July 1-9th at Softball City in Surrey, British Columbia. The Canada Cup is instrumental in the development of the Canadian Team in their preparation for the 2000 Olympic Games. There are 5 of the 8 Olympic Teams competing this week at the Canada Cup.

For more information, please contact Lisette Stapley at 613-795-1996
email lstapley@softball.ca

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